There is a perplexing bundle of knowledge, a paradox, which continually gets played out between the Indigenous and settler relationship. As I think about what I have experienced and observed over and over again I find it hard to put discourse to the phenomenon in a way that is clear. This is the nature of paradox; it is hard to pull them apart in a linear way. Regardless, this is what I feel I need to do. While Indigenous people live under, and thus embody, the structural oppression of what has become the nation state called Canada, paradoxically it is Indigenous peoples’ responsibility to be the “teacher” to the settlers who have benefitted from the structural oppression imposed. What I mean by this is that often times it is Indigenous people that have to point out that the very privileges that settler Canadians stand on have come off their backs. Many settler Canadians claim to be interested in resolving the social injustices yet when they hear the knowledge couched in the fear, harm, and anger that the structural oppression has embodied they become too upset. Settler Canadians become upset for several reasons: First, they become upset with the level of emotion embodied in the person who has been hurt. Second, they become upset that the emotion appears to be directed at them as they are the benefactors of the oppression. Third, they become upset because they do not think they are privileged. Rather, they think they have worked hard for all they have. Fourth, they become upset because their love for the nation state has fallen beneath their feet. Fifth, they become upset because of the discomfort associated with learning new knowledge and the cognitive dissonance that has manifested. Sixth, they become upset because of the iconoclastic nature of the knowledge. Yet emotional upset is inherent in the smashing of icons, even useless icons. Seventh, they become upset because they are unable to perceive the paradigm discussed and this blindness frightens them. Eighth, more often than not people get upset simply due to a lack of shared meaning and assumptions associated with new learning. Ninth, many people judge the new knowledge as not being presented in a kind and loving way, or worse they harshly judge the teacher through a lack of realizing the nature of racism, sexism, ableism and the interactive, exponential, and heavy weight of the reality of these layers of oppression. Privileged settler people go through an entire gamut of negative emotions as they learn how they have benefitted. Interestingly, many settler people will ascribe these negative emotions to the oppressed person’s identity, rather than valuing that it is embodied knowledge being lived out. Some privileged people will actually say that they have not done this ascribing. They will be adamant that the teacher, or the oppressed person, is angry. In this way, they are of the completely unreasonable rationalization that Indigenous people are not permitted the expression of the fear, harm, and anger that the structural oppression has embodied. Yet they live their more pretty privileged knowledge every day. If you are not getting emotional about what you are learning you have not learned the knowledge that will liberate your mind. New knowledge is emotional. Stop blaming the teacher who triggers negative emotions; question the teacher who prefers to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy. They wanted to kill the person who said the sun does not orbit the earth even though it was true.

What you say is true. Truth has a way of making many people terribly uncomfortable. As a non- native child I was criticized and sometimes punished especially in school for contradicting the teacher with the truths learned from my Grandfather and Native friends

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James Harris

9/24/2014 01:02:10 pm

There was one emotional reaction not really covered here. One is that the settler feels so much love for the Native community, and the idea that they hurt them, or that it is brought up again, feels like a spouse reminding you of past mistakes that you've attempted to repay ever since. I know that isn't what is intended in bringing up the information, but when you already know what was done wrong, it can definitely feel like a loved one bringing up something you've tried desperately to gain forgiveness for. other times, its like preaching to the choir. just a high priest rattling off my settler sins which i am all too aware of.

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James Harris

9/24/2014 01:15:31 pm

so those have been the negative emotions i have felt as a settler in solidarity. i'm not upset at new information, new information is liberating. i get upset about being retaught. and it isn't the teacher's fault, they have no insight into what i've learned already. i dont think anyone can be blamed for emotions, they're things that spring up without choice from either party. its just something you gotta suck up i suppose, otherwise you get a divorced.

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sl

9/25/2014 03:29:06 am

Hi there,

I found your article very interesting. As a white person who wants to be an ally to First Nations of Canada, and to women especially, what advice do you have? Having heard first hand accounts of the horrors of residential schools, its hard for me not to feel anger, not at the person telling me their story, but at the administration, government, and adults who were put in charge, and clearly abused their power. And, at the same time, as a white woman, I do not know how to go about addressing this. How can I be of support, when I feel that so often, when white people enter into the discussion, they take over, causing more harm than good? Bringing up issues of race and institutional injustice can be very awkward, and yet I feel that they should be addressed. How do you suggest I go about this in an appropriate and respectful way?

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sll

9/25/2014 07:23:39 am

Looking at your website more I see that you have already included resources on becoming an ally! My good luck! Thank you so much for your work, I will look at these and think hard on the issues you raise.

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mike butler

9/30/2014 09:19:50 pm

I'm Aboriginal (Australian that is) and this is a real good way of tackling the mental barriers/guilt/prejudice the rest of the population have. We're big enough to stand up to it, now we've got to be bigger than rubbing their noses in it. Teach them and then we'll get some real solutions.

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Darin M Bicknell

9/30/2014 10:46:02 pm

Very true. I would hope there are ways to have a dialogue where the culture and heritage of my people and the culture of those teaching can work together and ultimately share a common understanding. I would like to find more ways to learn from those willing to share their culture with me.

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Rosemary McCurcheon

10/4/2014 01:40:43 am

Interesting article and I think we all need to be more sympathic to what happened the continued rascism and the general public who too often jump to the wrong conclusions!!!!